Prison riots, tightening voted

The new crime of rioting in prison, integrated even only by acts of passive resistance ('An attack on the rule of law', thunders the PD) and also valid for migrant centres, and the aggravating circumstance of the crime of incitement to disobey the laws if committed inside a penal institution. Yesterday, the Chamber of Deputies resumed voting on the Security Bill amidst controversy, approving some of the most contested provisions. Such as the one on the purchase of SIM cards by non-EU citizens: among the documents that an operator will have to acquire to sell them, in addition to identity papers, will be a 'copy of the residence permit'. "A bestiality that will favour the development of the illegal market," attacks Riccardo Magi of +Europa.

The suppressive amendments tabled by the oppositions were rejected. "We are faced with an escalation of repressive and cruel measures that reveal an obvious regime of tension aimed at distracting attention from the failures of this government," said Debora Serracchiani, the leader of the Democratic Party's Justice Department, in the Chamber. And the M5S, with the deputy member of the Copasir Marco Pellegrini, denounces as 'extremely dangerous' the novelties on the secret services contained in Article 31: "They make permanent - is the accusation - the authorisation for the intelligence services to engage in conduct that constitutes crimes, even very serious ones".

The assembly's green light also gave the green light to the many regulations protecting the forces of law and order, welcomed by the police unions, such as the one providing for an increase of up to EUR 10,000 in the advance payment of legal fees at each stage of proceedings and the one authorising the wearing of bodycams while on duty (EUR 23 million over three years). "A protection that will provide officers with objective evidence against accusations that are too often unfounded," emphasises Igor Iezzi from the League.

A green light has also been given to the provision allowing officers to carry certain types of weapons without a licence when off duty, including revolvers and pistols of all sizes. Only the last articles of the measure are missing from the vote: the final yes should arrive today, then the text will go to the Senate. Crowning the security crackdown desired by the government.